rather like the Ramsar 1% level for international importance for a site 
holding 1% of the flyway population of a species of wildfowl or wader 
is a subjective figure, but one which, nevertheless, has gained universal 
acceptance by national governments. 
One could argue for say 10% or even 50%, but as a contribution to the 
debate it seems sensible that if a country holds at least one fifth of the 
world's population of a species then it should accept an international 
responsibility to conserve it. Furthermore 20% attempts to strike a 
balance between the views of conservationists who may wish to see a 
lower threshold (so entailing a larger conunit ment by a government) and 
administrators who may wish to see a higher threshold for reducing 
implications for government policy and actions. 
Internationally Significant Wintering/Non-breeder (IW) 
As IB, except for populations outside of the breeding season. 
Regionally Significant Breeder (KB) 
More than 20% of the regional population, or 20% of the regional range 
must occur in Turkey. For the purpose of this exercise, the region has 
been defined as the eastern half of the West Palearctic, but also including 
the whole of Iran. The western boundary is Yugoslavia, Hungary, 
Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Baltic. The Western Palearctic is a 
recognised faunal zone and choosing the eastern half for Turkey's 
'region' seemed logical as well as manageable. 
Regionally Significant Wintering/Non-Breeder (RW) 
As above, but for wintering/ non-breeding birds, including those passing 
through Turkey on migration, notably birds of prey. 
Rare breeder (Rare) 
Less than 300 known breeding pairs in Turkey. Though it must be 
stressed that in most cases, this is a best guess. Also included in this 
category are species which are thought to be breeding, although this has 
not been proven; some of these have only recently been discovered, 
mostly in BE Turkey and the circumstances suggest recent colonisation. 
Localised Breeder (BL) 
Occurs in a small number of areas or specialised habitats. Generally, 
about 50% of the population occurs in less than ten sites. 
Localised Non-Breeder (WL) 
As above, but for non-breeding populations. 
Declining Breeder (DB) 
Population is known to be significantly declining. Because of the absence 
of population surveys, in most cases, such declines are not quantifiable. 
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